dole out

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb dole out differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of dole out are deal, dispense, distribute, and divide. While all these words mean "to give out, usually in shares, to each member of a group," dole out implies a carefully measured portion of something that is often in short supply.

doled out what little food there was

When is deal a more appropriate choice than dole out?

The words deal and dole out are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, deal emphasizes the allotment of something piece by piece.

deal out equipment and supplies

When might dispense be a better fit than dole out?

The words dispense and dole out can be used in similar contexts, but dispense suggests the giving of a carefully weighed or measured portion to each of a group according to due or need.

dispensed wisdom to the students

Where would distribute be a reasonable alternative to dole out?

While in some cases nearly identical to dole out, distribute implies an apportioning by separation of something into parts, units, or amounts.

distributed food to the needy

When would divide be a good substitute for dole out?

Although the words divide and dole out have much in common, divide stresses the separation of a whole into parts and implies that the parts are equal.

three charitable groups divided the proceeds

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of dole out The Trump administration will prioritize birth rates in doling out transportation projects, testing out a rising philosophy of conservative politics, and punishing blue cities in the process. Haisten Willis, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 10 Mar. 2025 That’s because the organization has doled out more than $80 million to 300-plus nonprofits in the metro area for each of the last two years, providing vital funding to museums, theaters, dance studios, festivals and arts-education organizations that directly serve millions along the Front Range. John Wenzel, The Denver Post, 10 Mar. 2025 Instead, after the retaliation caused farmers financial pain, the Trump administration used the Commodity Credit Corporation as a type of political fund and doled out up to $30 billion to farmers. Stuart Anderson, Forbes, 9 Mar. 2025 The series, which blends a cooking show format with celebrity interviews, sees Meghan welcome guests to a replica of her Montecito, California estate and dole out tips on entertaining, baking and parenting. Anna Kaufman, USA TODAY, 7 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for dole out
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dole out
Verb
  • Zoom out: The Education Department — created by President Carter in 1979 — distributes financial aid and grants for schools across the country.
    Axios, Axios, 22 Mar. 2025
  • Despite being distributed by Prime Video, the show is 100% independently owned and operated.
    Liam Reilly, CNN, 22 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Four hour-long episodes turn out to be an awfully long way to go for the suggestion that the truth can be murky — especially when the next four go ahead and dispense with that ambiguity entirely.
    Angie Han, The Hollywood Reporter, 18 Mar. 2025
  • This way, organizations can dispense with the blame game altogether.
    Liz Kislik, Forbes, 18 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Bernstein and von Karajan's debates about their artistic methods and philosophies are underscored by musical segments, enhancing emotional depth and providing poetic resonance to their conversations.
    Court Stroud, Forbes, 16 Mar. 2025
  • People were sitting on schoolbus-yellow benches and eating at tables under wide trees that provided ample shade.
    Coke Bartrina, Travel + Leisure, 15 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • No surprise, things got testy Referee Héctor Martínez inserted himself into the match regularly, handing out five yellow cards through the first half alone.
    Joshua Kloke, The Athletic, 21 Mar. 2025
  • The push comes two weeks after Bondi handed out binders with Epstein case files to pro-Trump social media influencers at the White House -- files that ultimately contained little new information.
    Katherine Faulders, ABC News, 20 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Only one point and two places divide Fabian Hurzeler’s side in seventh from City in fifth with 10 games to go.
    Andy Naylor, The Athletic, 14 Mar. 2025
  • The garden is divided into several enticing categories, from geographical designations to thematic gardens.
    Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 14 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Several nonprofits have lost millions in government contracts allocated to assist new arrivals.
    Tazreena Sajjad, The Conversation, 13 Mar. 2025
  • Assigning 70% weight to sales contribution while allocating the remaining 30% equally to sales velocity and profitability is a deliberate choice that challenges the default focus on revenue alone.
    Aziz Jafri, Forbes, 12 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Dole out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dole%20out. Accessed 25 Mar. 2025.

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